Miami Hurricanes QB D’Eriq King needed numbers as Heisman Trophy contender
The last three Heisman Trophy winners have virtually come out of nowhere. Alabama wide receiver De’Vonta Smith, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow and Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray were not among the favorites at the beginning of the season. Miami Hurricanes QB D’Eriq King is among the favorites for the 2021 Heisman Trophy.
Burrow and Murray put up huge numbers during their Heisman Trophy seasons. Burrow completed 402 passes in 527 attempts for 5671 yards, 60 touchdowns and six interceptions while running for 368 yards and five TDs. Murray was 260-377 for 4,361 Yds, 42 TDs and seven interceptions with 1,001 rushing yards and 12 TDs.
Burrow played in 15 games in 2019, while Murray accomplished his numbers in 14 games. King completed 211 passes in 329 attempts for 2,686 passing yards, 23 TDs and five interceptions with 538 yards rushing and four TDs in 11 Miami Hurricanes games in 2021. The Miami Hurricanes will likely play at least 13 games in 2021.
Miami has 12 regular-season games scheduled in 2021 plus whatever bowl game the Hurricanes are likely to qualify for. Winning the ACC Coastal Division and qualifying for the Conference Championship Game would help the Heisman Trophy campaign for King. King should be in the Heisman race with duplicate per game numbers in 2021.
| Year | Voting | Player | School | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Voting | DeVonta Smith* | Alabama | 117 Rec, 1856 Yds, 15.9 Avg, 23 TD |
| 2019 | Voting | Joe Burrow* | LSU | 402 Cmp, 527 Att, 5671 Yds, 60 TD, 6 Int |
| 2018 | Voting | Kyler Murray* | Oklahoma | 260 Cmp, 377 Att, 4361 Yds, 42 TD, 7 Int |
| 2017 | Voting | Baker Mayfield* | Oklahoma | 285 Cmp, 404 Att, 4627 Yds, 43 TD, 6 Int |
| 2016 | Voting | Lamar Jackson* | Louisville | 230 Cmp, 409 Att, 3543 Yds, 30 TD, 9 Int |
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 5/7/2021.
The numbers King had in 2020 averaged out to 13 games in 2021 would be 249.36 completions in 388.81 attempts for 3,174.36 yards, 27.18 TDs, 5.9 interceptions, 635.81 rushing yards and 4.72 TDs. Those numbers include lasting less than half of the Cheez-it Bowl loss to Oklahoma State following his departure with a torn ACL.
If those numbers would be over a full 11 games and averaged out to 13 they would have been even higher. The numbers from King are still well below what Burrow and Murray accomplished during their second Heisman Trophy winning seasons. In the second season under offensive coordinator, Rhett Lashlee king should improve.
This is the first time during his six college seasons that King will have the same offensive coordinator for a second year. In his first season at SMU, but second for the Mustangs offense under Lashlee, QB Shane Buechele after transferring from Texas completed threw for 3,929 yards, 39 TDs and 10 interceptions.
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Buechele is not the runner that King is but had 105 yards rushing and two TDs. The Miami offense added Oklahoma transfer Charleston Rambo who gives them the downfield threat they lacked in 2020. Miami returns on offense returns except tight end Brevin Jordan. King should have a prolific 2021 to put him in the Heisman race.